# Michael McDonald (comedian)
**Michael McDonald** (Michael James McDonald, born 1964) is an American comedian, actor, writer, and television director best known as the longest-running cast member of the Fox sketch comedy series *MADtv*, where he created the recurring character Stuart Larkin. He is a distinct person from the singer [Michael McDonald](https://www.edgepedia.org/michael-mcdonald-musician) of the Doobie Brothers and [Steely Dan](https://www.edgepedia.org/steely-dan), a confusion both men have had to address in interviews.[1](https://www.7x7.com/michael-mcdonald-no-the-other-michael-mcdonald-comes-to-cobbs-1781210885.html)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1964, Fullerton, California; full name Michael James McDonald[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0567912/bio/) |
| Signature role | Stuart Larkin on *MADtv*, an overgrown little boy character; the sketch appeared 38 times over the show's run[3](https://madtv.fandom.com/wiki/Stuart_Larkin) |
| *MADtv* tenure | Cast member through Season 13, the longest-serving cast member to date[4](https://madtv.fandom.com/wiki/Michael_McDonald) |
| Stand-up | Debut one-hour special *Model Citizen*, taped in Orange County and premiered on Showtime in October 2010[5](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1705123/) • [6](https://mediamikes.com/2010/10/interview-with-madtvs-michael-mcdonald/) |
| Directing | Episodes of *Scrubs*, *Cougar Town*, *Mike & Molly*, *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*, *2 Broke Girls*, *Superstore*, and *The Good Place*, among others[7](https://www.sidewalkstv.com/interview-michael-mcdonald/) |
| Showrunning | Showrunner, executive producer, and director of the TV Land comedy *Nobodies* (2017)[7](https://www.sidewalkstv.com/interview-michael-mcdonald/) |
| Distinctive traits | Height 6 ft 3 in (1.91 m); a soft, seductive voice he uses for comic effect[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0567912/bio/) |
## Early life and path to comedy
McDonald was born and raised in Fullerton, in [Orange County, California](https://www.edgepedia.org/orange-county-california). He graduated from the [University of Southern California](https://www.edgepedia.org/university-of-southern-california) with a degree in business and took a job as a loan officer at a bank in Los Angeles. A friend then took him to see a sketch and improv show at the Groundling Theater, and he changed careers: he quit banking, enrolled in the Groundlings' improv program, and performed with the troupe from 1992 to 1997.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0567912/bio/)
His first professional writing and acting work came through Concorde Pictures, the low-budget studio of producer [Roger Corman](https://www.edgepedia.org/roger-corman). Starting as an extra, McDonald landed small roles in early-1990s B-movies and gradually earned larger parts, along with writing and directing credits on some films.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0567912/bio/) Before comedy, he had also worked for a year as a kindergarten aide, an experience he later drew on for his characters.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0567912/bio/)
## MADtv
After small roles in television sitcoms in the mid-1990s, McDonald joined the cast of *MADtv*. He stayed through Season 13, a ten-year run that made him the show's longest-serving cast member.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0567912/bio/) • [4](https://madtv.fandom.com/wiki/Michael_McDonald) His characters included Stuart Larkin, Rusty, Marvin Tikvah, Bible Dude, the Mofaz (a depressed Persian tow truck man), and Fightin' Ron, and his impressions ranged from [Bob Barker](https://www.edgepedia.org/bob-barker) and Dr. Phil to [Maury Povich](https://www.edgepedia.org/maury-povich), John Kerry, Simon Cowell, and Dr. House.[4](https://madtv.fandom.com/wiki/Michael_McDonald)
**Stuart Larkin.** Stuart, a seemingly demure little boy with a vicious streak and a need to be the center of attention, became [McDonald's](https://www.edgepedia.org/mcdonalds) signature character, usually opposite [Mo Collins](https://www.edgepedia.org/mo-collins) as his mother Doreen.[3](https://madtv.fandom.com/wiki/Stuart_Larkin) • [8](https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/look-at-me-1305) McDonald has said the character came from real experience: "a large portion of Stuart is based on the relationship I had with my mom," along with his year as a kindergarten aide.[9](https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2011/04/21/michael-mcdonald-dc-improv-madtv-cougar-town-model-citizen/) Stuart appeared in 38 sketches across seasons 4 through 12, and after Collins left the series he appeared only once per season.[3](https://madtv.fandom.com/wiki/Stuart_Larkin)
His work on the show earned two Writers Guild of America Award nominations with the writing staff, for best comedy-variety series in 2004 and 2005.[10](https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/michael-mcdonald) He returned for the *MADtv 20th Anniversary Reunion* on the CW in 2016.[11](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/michael-mcdonald-comedian/)
## Stand-up and acting
When *MADtv* ended in 2009, McDonald moved into stand-up with nationwide tours and a one-hour Showtime special, *Model Citizen*, which premiered in October 2010 and was taped in his home county of Orange County.[9](https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2011/04/21/michael-mcdonald-dc-improv-madtv-cougar-town-model-citizen/) • [5](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1705123/) He has continued to tour comedy clubs, including dates at Cobb's in San Francisco and the Improv clubs in Washington, D.C. and Fort Lauderdale.[1](https://www.7x7.com/michael-mcdonald-no-the-other-michael-mcdonald-comes-to-cobbs-1781210885.html) • [12](https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/music/madtv-comedian-michael-mcdonald-takes-off-his-pants-for-new-times-6435339/)
His screen appearances include the *Austin Powers* films, *Slackers* (2002), *Dickie Roberts: Former Child Star* (2003), *The Heat* (2013), and *Halloween Kills* (2021), in which he played [Little John](https://www.edgepedia.org/little-john).[11](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/michael-mcdonald-comedian/) A piece of trivia from his film work: through his appearances in *Austin Powers: International Man of Mystery* (1997) and *Halloween Kills* (2021), he is the only person killed on screen by both [Mike Myers](https://www.edgepedia.org/mike-myers) and Michael Myers.[2](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0567912/bio/) Television guest roles include *Seinfeld*, *Just Shoot Me*, *Community*, *Pushing Daisies*, *Desperate Housewives*, and *[Web Therapy](https://www.edgepedia.org/web-therapy)*.[11](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/michael-mcdonald-comedian/)
## Directing and producing
While still on *MADtv*, McDonald began moving into writing and directing, and he became a staff writer and frequent director on ABC's *Cougar Town*, on which he also guest-starred.[13](https://laist.com/news/entertainment/tv-junkie-interview-madtvs-michael) His directing credits span single-camera and multi-camera comedies: several episodes each of *Scrubs*, *MADtv*, *Benched*, *Cougar Town*, *Mike & Molly*, *Mixology*, and *Brooklyn Nine-Nine*, plus episodes of *7th Heaven*, *2 Broke Girls*, *The Michael J. Fox Show*, *Superstore*, *Powerless*, and *The Good Place*.[7](https://www.sidewalkstv.com/interview-michael-mcdonald/)
In 2017 he became showrunner, executive producer, and director of the [TV Land](https://www.edgepedia.org/tv-land) series *Nobodies*, about three actor-comedians trying to get a famous friend to star in a script they wrote; the series was executive produced by [Melissa McCarthy](https://www.edgepedia.org/melissa-mccarthy) and [Ben Falcone](https://www.edgepedia.org/ben-falcone).[7](https://www.sidewalkstv.com/interview-michael-mcdonald/)
## References
1. [Michael McDonald (No, the Other Michael McDonald) Comes to Cobb's, 7x7 Bay Area](https://www.7x7.com/michael-mcdonald-no-the-other-michael-mcdonald-comes-to-cobbs-1781210885.html)
2. [Michael McDonald Biography, IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0567912/bio/)
3. [Stuart Larkin, Mad TV Wiki](https://madtv.fandom.com/wiki/Stuart_Larkin)
4. [Michael McDonald, Mad TV Wiki](https://madtv.fandom.com/wiki/Michael_McDonald)
5. [Michael McDonald: Model Citizen (2010), IMDb](https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1705123/)
6. [Interview with Michael McDonald, MediaMikes](https://mediamikes.com/2010/10/interview-with-madtvs-michael-mcdonald/)
7. [Interview: Michael McDonald, Sidewalks Entertainment](https://www.sidewalkstv.com/interview-michael-mcdonald/)
8. [Look at me, Drug Discovery News](https://www.drugdiscoverynews.com/look-at-me-1305)
9. [A Stand-Up Life After Stuart: Michael McDonald at D.C. Improv, The Washington Post Express](https://www.washingtonpost.com/express/wp/2011/04/21/michael-mcdonald-dc-improv-madtv-cougar-town-model-citizen/)
10. [Michael McDonald, Encyclopedia.com](https://www.encyclopedia.com/people/literature-and-arts/music-popular-and-jazz-biographies/michael-mcdonald)
11. [Michael McDonald, Comedian, Actor, Writer, Director, TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/michael-mcdonald-comedian/)
12. [MADtv Comedian Michael McDonald Takes Off His Pants for New Times, Broward Palm Beach New Times](https://www.browardpalmbeach.com/music/madtv-comedian-michael-mcdonald-takes-off-his-pants-for-new-times-6435339/)
13. [TV Junkie Interview: MADtv's Michael McDonald, LAist](https://laist.com/news/entertainment/tv-junkie-interview-madtvs-michael)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Theater and dance › Stand-up comedy and comedians › American stand-up comedians, contemporary › Stand-up comedians born 1960–1969*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license